Jaded

Chapter 2

Kitana and Liu Kang pigged out, while Kung Lao stared at Jade as she played with her food, looking incredibly bored. And if she wasn't bored, her mind certainly seemed like it was somewhere far and distant. She rested one cheek on a fist, while using her other hand to swish the fork around in her meal.

"Is something wrong Jade? You seem like you really do not want to be here…" Kung Lao said.

"Huh? Oh. No I'm okay, really…I'm just…a little tired is all…" Jade lied. What she really meant was that she was too busy thinking about Smoke.

Hanging around friends, especially with Liu Kang and Kitana, reminded the Edenian of her ex-lover. The four of them used to be the "double-daters" with Jade and Kitana being best friends and dragging their partners with them everywhere they went. This time though, the seat Tomas was supposed to be sitting in was taken by someone else.

Although she wouldn't admit it, Jade was starting to miss Smoke.

"You should eat up Jade. Kung Lao is paying good gold pieces for us to eat here. Which reminds me, we need more chicken." Liu Kang said with a full mouth, before looking around for the waiter.

The Edenian sighed. "I'm fine guys. Really. I am…"

"I've known you long enough to tell when you are lying. What's wrong Jade?" Kitana asked, placing a hand on the Edenian's bare shoulder. Jade shook her head and smiled. She fought hard to keep tears back, as she knew that she was cornered. She couldn't hide her true feelings any longer.

Jade let out a small emotional chuckle. "This is stupid. I don't even know why I am acting like this right now." she sniffled, wiping a loose tear.

"Awww is it Tomas? You're thinking about him aren't you?" Kitana said, putting an arm around her friend. "It's okay. It happens. This is just how it goes. Don't be afraid to hurt."

"I am so sorry guys. I didn't mean to ruin your dinner." Jade said, looking up at the two monks with red eyes.

"It's okay Jade. You didn't ruin anything. Were here for you..." Liu Kang said, still chewing away on a big piece of meat. All he really cared about though, was gulping down on another piece of spicy poultry. He had always left the emotional stuff for Kitana to deal with.

Kung Lao felt crushed. Again. While his heart hurt for the woman of his dreams and no matter how much he wanted to be the person to hold her tight, he knew that her tears still belonged to another man. Kung Lao thought that he himself was probably the last thing on Jade' mind. It was torture, to be so close to Jade, yet be so far from comforting her. Now was definitely not the time for him to move in.

Kitana stood up with Jade, and excused the two ladies from the table. Kung Lao stood up with them.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asked solemnly, looking at Kitana.

"It's okay. I got this." The Princess replied, leading a lightly sobbing Jade away for some air.

Kung Lao nodded, before sighing and plumping down on his seat, looking on as the two women exited the restaurant. Liu Kang elbowed him.

"It's okay, Kung Lao. Now is not your turn. Be patient. I promise you will get the opportunity to make a move on her."

"Not with the way things are going. She clearly misses Smoke, and still has feelings for him. It will take awhile before she gets over Tomas, or they may even get back together. I should just give up now."

"Relax my friend. Do not despair too soon. Jade is still in a very sensitive stage right now. They did just break up not too long ago after a very serious relationship."

"But she seemed so happy being free and single."

"I am certain that she was still in denial or just trying her best to move on. I do believe she is happy being alone for now, but there will always be moments where you just need to break down. And that's what we just witnessed."

"So that is a good thing?" Kung Lao asked, with a confused look painted on his face.

"Of course. Think about it. Now that she is going though all the negative side effects of a separation and getting all that stuff out of her system, all that's left to do is to experience the happiness aspect of it. And that's when and where you will come in. When Jade is on the upward mend, good ole' Kung Lao will be there at the peak of her happy stage, and everything will fall into place and work out fine."

Kung Lao beamed with a ray of new hope. "I've said it before, and I will say it again. You are as wise as you are skilled, my friend."

"Trust me. You will have a great chance to prove to Jade how you really feel about her. Just be patient and persistent."

"Thank you, Liu Kang."

"No, thank you, Kung Lao…" Liu Kang replied, before flagging down the waitress. "…for dinner." he elbowed him.

"Yes?" the server asked.

"We are finished here. The dinner was wonderful. Please give this man the bill, add thirty, no, thirty-five percent gratuity for yourself, and thank you very much." Liu Kang said as politely as possible, with the cheekiest grin.